Washington: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dismissed all members of its advisory committees, a move that two sources say has disrupted the agency’s ongoing investigation into a significant cyberespionage operation targeting U.S. telecommunications companies.
A letter dated January 20, signed by Acting Secretary Benjamine C. Huffman and seen by Reuters, cited the decision as being “in alignment with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to eliminating the misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security.”
The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Advisory Committees and the Cyber Safety Review Board
The department oversees various advisory committees that provide expert guidance on topics ranging from emergency preparedness to artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and cybersecurity. Among these is the Cyber Safety Review Board, modeled after air accident review boards, which investigates major cybersecurity incidents.
The Cyber Safety Review Board had been actively investigating a sweeping hack of American telecom companies by an allegedly Chinese-linked group, nicknamed “Salt Typhoon”. The operation, described by some lawmakers as the most damaging telecom breach in U.S. history, allegedly collected metadata on millions of Americans and targeted high-profile figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
China has denied involvement in the cyberespionage operation.
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Fallout from DHS Decision
While the letter mentioned that dismissed committee members could “reapply,” sources familiar with the situation expressed skepticism about the continuity of the probe. “As a practical matter, unless they bring original members back, they’d probably have to start from scratch,” one source said, effectively deeming the investigation stalled.
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Democratic Senator Ron Wyden criticized the move, describing it as a concession to Chinese hackers. “Disbanding the Cyber Safety Review Board while it’s in the middle of investigating the most damaging breach of America’s phone system in recent memory is a massive gift to the Chinese spies who targeted Trump, JD Vance, and other top political figures,” he stated.
The investigation had garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers highlighting its importance for safeguarding national security and accountability in cybersecurity.
